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Indian Express
08-06-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Jyeshtha Ashtami and the Kheer Bhawani temple: A sacred spring's significance in Kashmiri Pandit heritage
Zyeth Atham (Jyeshtha Ashtami), observed on the eighth day of Shukla Paksha (the waxing phase of the moon) in the Hindu month of Jyeshtha (May–June), which fell on June 3, holds profound importance for the Kashmiri Pandit community. On this day, devotees honour Goddess Ragnya Devi, also known as Kheer Bhawani, at her temple in Tulmulla, in the Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir. This year, visitors to the temple at the annual Kheer Bhawani Mela included PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti, National Conference's Farooq Abdulla, and the Union Territory's L-G Manoj Sinha. The temple derives its distinctive name from kheer—a rice and milk pudding—which is offered to the goddess as the principal prasad. The Kashmiri Pandit community reveres Goddess Kheer Bhawani, an incarnation of Mata Durga, as their Kuldevi (family deity). Tulmulla is approximately 25 kilometers northeast of Srinagar. The temple, nestled amidst chinar trees and built over a sacred spring, finds mention in numerous ancient texts, including Kashmiri historian Kalhana's 12th-century chronicle Rajatarangini. 'Mention of this place is made in the last chapter of the Ragnya Pradurbhava which is a section of the Bhringish Samhita,' writes Kashmiri educationist and ornithologist Samsar Chand Kaul in his book 'The Mysterious Spring of Khir Bhawani'. The shrine features a hexagonal spring surrounding a marble temple that houses the idol of the presiding deity. The current marble structure was constructed by Dogra ruler Maharaja Pratap Singh in the early 20th century and was later renovated by Maharaja Hari Singh. Of guarding serpents and a Lanka connection According to a legend, Ragnya Devi was once worshipped in Lanka by King Ravana. Displeased with his tyranny, she left Lanka and, with the assistance of Lord Hanuman, relocated to Kashmir, choosing Tulmulla as her abode. '…the goddess, wrathful at Ravana's misdeeds, cursed him and ordered Hanuman to take her to Sad Sar (Kashmir) on her vehicle along with 360 Nags. Hanuman selected a spot in the northern side of the Valley within the space surrounded by the villages of Borus (Bhawanish), Ahatung (Tungish), Ladwun (Labdawan), Wokur (Bhageh). Here he installed the goddess with all her satellites. She was called Khirbhawani or Raji Ragyni, exclusively preferring milk, sugar, rice and all vegetarian forms of offerings,' Kaul writes. Sharing details about another legend attached with Goddess Ragnya Devi in his book, Kaul further states: '… Another version which is said to have brought the spring to light states that a Brahman Krishna Pandit saw a vision in which he was informed by a Deva (an angel) that the spring of Khir Bhawani lay among the swamps of Tulamulla. 'How shall I be able to find out the spring? He asked. 'Engage a boat as far as Shadipor (village in Kashmir), and from there a serpent will guide you. When you reach near the spring, the serpent will jump into it. That is the spring.' The spring: Changing colours and fortunes Waters of the sacred spring, known as 'Nag' in Kashmir, are known to change colour, and according to local belief, reflect the fortunes of the Valley. Light hues such as blue and green are considered auspicious, while darker shades, particularly black or red, are viewed as forewarnings of turmoil. 'For generations, locals have looked to the spring's waters as a mirror of the Valley's fate — when the water runs clear, it is taken as a sign of harmony, when it darkens, it is considered inauspicious,' says Jammu resident Girja Bhat, who has been attending the mela regularly and was 'happy' when she found that 'Nag pooyin ous saaf (spring water was clear)' this year. Kashmiri Pandits narrate that in 1990, around the time of their mass exodus, the spring reportedly turned black, a phenomenon that has since been etched into the community's collective memory. Quoting the then British Land Settlement Commissioner to Kashmir Walter Lawrence, in the research paper 'Manifestation of Goddess Kheer Bhavani: A Psychological Exploration', University of Delhi scholar Swati Tickoo states: 'In 1888, Lawrence wrote the following report about the temple of Mata Kheer Bhavani; '…perhaps the most sacred place in Kashmir is the Kheer Bhawani; spring of Kheer Bhawani at the mouth of the Sind valley… When I saw the great spring of Kheer Bhawani at Tula Mula, the water had a violet tinge, but when famine or cholera is imminent the water assumes a black hue.' 'Reaffirmation of faith' The mela at Kheer Bhawani Temple, managed by Jammu and Kashmir Dharmarth Trust, continues to draw thousands of devotees annually. 'To mark the Ashtami, devotees perform hawan in reverence to Mata Ragnya, accompanied by rituals such as offering milk and dropping Kaand (sugar cones) into the sacred spring, scattering flowers and aromatic leaves known as Vyna Patar. The festival serves as a reunion for the Kashmiri Pandit diaspora, a reaffirmation of faith, and a symbol of resilience,' says retired IFS officer Poshkar Nath Pandit.
NDTV
03-06-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Hundreds Of Kashmiri Pandits Gather At Annual J&K Mela Under Tight Security
Srinagar: Hundreds of Kashmiri Pandits have gathered at Tulmulla in Jammu and Kashmir's Ganderbal district to participate in the annual Kheer Bhawani Mela, an age-old festival symbolising Kashmir's rich cultural and spiritual heritage. Despite a weather advisory and security concerns after the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, faith has brought the Kashmiri pandits back to their roots for the annual reunion that follows over three decades of separation and displacement. After the outbreak of terrorist attacks in 1990, thousands of Pandit families had migrated from the Valley to Jammu and other parts of the country. Official records show over 64,000 Kashmiri Pandit families are living outside Kashmir Valley - among them 43,000 in migrant camps in Jammu and over 19,000 in Delhi.' Dedicated to Goddess Ragnya Devi, the Kheer Bhawani Mela is one of the largest Hindu gatherings in the Valley, second only to the Amarnath Yatra. For many years, local Muslims looked after her temple located in the middle of a spring, where devotees offer milk and rice pudding. Kashmiri Pandits believe that the water at the spring shrine changes colour and it can foretell the future. If the colour of the water changes back, it's considered a bad omen. "The Mela is a symbol of communal harmony. All arrangements here have been made by local Muslims. Despite efforts to sow discord between the two communities, no one could break this centuries-old bond," said a Kashmiri Pandit leading prayers at the spring shrine. Elaborate security arrangements have been made for the Mela. Hundreds of Jammu and Kashmir police and CRPF personnel have been deployed in and around the temple. All roads leading to Kheer Bhawani have been sanitised to ensure a hassle-free moment for the devotees. Lt Governor Manoj Sinha visited the shrine today and offered prayers. Recently, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had also visited Tulmulla and reviewed preparations for the Mela.
Hans India
01-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Unfazed by terror threat, devotees flock to Mata Kheer Bhawani Mela in Kashmir
Ganderbal: As the sacred annual Mata Kheer Bhawani Mela draws near, large numbers of pilgrims have begun arriving in Jammu and Kashmir's Ganderbal district, undeterred by the recent terror attack in Pahalgam. With unwavering faith in the Indian Armed Forces, devotees, particularly from the Kashmiri Pandit community, are preparing to celebrate one of their most revered festivals on June 3 at the historic temple of Ragnya Devi in Tullamulla. The shrine, dedicated to Goddess Ragnya Devi -- a reincarnation of Goddess Durga -- becomes a focal point of religious fervour each year as devotees from across India and abroad converge for the Mela. Despite heightened tensions following the brutal April 22 Pahalgam terror incident, the spirit of the pilgrims remains unshaken. Extensive security arrangements have been deployed across the region to ensure the safety of the devotees. Authorities have assured that all necessary measures -- including drinking water supply and essential amenities -- are in place to provide a worry-free experience for pilgrims. Kashmiri Pandits, many of whom were displaced during the 1990 exodus, have expressed that their devotion remains stronger than ever. They also lauded the Indian government and armed forces for launching 'Operation Sindoor' in response to the Pahalgam attack, calling it a fitting reply to Pakistan-backed terrorism. "The terrorists tried to spread fear, but our devotion has only grown," said a pilgrim from Chandigarh, speaking to IANS. "They want to derail tourism, but Kashmir is a part of India. We will keep coming here. No one can frighten us." Another devotee, Sunita, who migrated to Delhi during the 1990s, expressed deep emotional resonance on returning to the shrine for the first time. "We're not scared even after the terror attack. Mata Kheer Bhawani called us. We are here because of her and because of PM Modi. This is all possible because of him," she told IANS. Umar Raina, another pilgrim, told IANS, "We only pray that Kashmiri Pandits are able to come back to their motherland. We want peace to prevail in Kashmir and to return to our homes." Sharing similar sentiments, Shriti Dhar, a regular visitor to the Mela, said, "Our armed forces have always protected us. We are proud of them. The arrangements this year are really good. We've witnessed violence since our childhood, and the Indian Armed Forces have always been our shield." Meanwhile, top officials, including IGP Jammu and Kashmir Police, DC Jammu Sachin, and Relief Commissioner Arvind, flagged off the Mata Kheer Bhawani Yatra in Jammu.
Hans India
31-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
J&K: Sufficient security in place for Kheer Bhawani festival
Srinagar: Adequate security arrangements have been put in place for the upcoming Mela Kheer Bhawani in J&K's Ganderbal district, an official said on Saturday. The annual Mela of Mata Kheer Bhawani, being celebrated on June 3, is the holiest local festival for the Kashmir Pandit community. The spring shrine in Tullamulla town of Ganderbal district, 25 km from Srinagar city, is dedicated to the deity Ragnya Devi, the reincarnation of goddess Durga. Local Kashmiri Pandits believe that the colour of the water at the goddess's spring in Tullamulla foretells the coming events in J&K and the rest of the country. The pink or milky colour of the spring water is believed to be suspicious, while the dark black colour spells bad days ahead. Elders in Tullamulla town say that in 1947, when the tribals invaded Kashmir, the water at the deity's spring had turned black. V.K. Birdi, IGP (Kashmir), visited the temple shrine on Saturday to take stock of the security arrangements for hundreds of Kashmiri Pandit devotees who come to the shrine from different parts of the country. The IGP told reporters at the shrine that comprehensive preparations have been made to ensure a safe and smooth event for devotees. He said that a large number of pilgrims are expected to attend the festival. 'Extensive arrangements have been made to ensure that the devotees do not face any inconvenience and their security remains a top priority. Robust deployment and logistical support are in place to manage the crowd efficiently,' he said. In response to concerns arising from the recent Pahalgam attack, the IGP emphasised that the security setup for such events is always meticulously reviewed and reinforced. He reassured that measures adopted during last year's mela, which saw an incident-free gathering, would be mirrored and further strengthened this year. He further added that similar vigilance is being implemented for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra, with routine threat assessments and area sanitisation underway. 'We remain committed to the safety of every pilgrim', the IGP added.
